The Syracuse Crunch has announced that former goaltender J.F. Labbe will take part in the pre-game ceremonies at the Mirabito Outdoor Classic featuring the host Crunch and the Binghamton Senators on Saturday at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Labbe, 37, played for the Crunch in parts of three seasons from 2000-03 and is among the club’s all-time goaltending leaders in a number of categories, including games played (92 – fifth), wins (43 – third), goals against average (2.48 – first), save percentage (.925 – first) and shutouts (11 – first-tied). Labbe put together one of the finest individual seasons by a goaltender in Crunch history in 2001-02, when he appeared in 51 games, going 27-16-7 with a 2.18 goals against average and .928 save percentage, backstopping the club to the AHL’s Central Division title.

In addition, Labbe was a member of Hershey’s Calder Cup Championship team in 1996-97, winning the Les Cunningham Award (AHL Regular Season MVP), Aldege ‘Baz’ Bastien Memorial Award (Outstanding Goaltender) and Harry ‘Hap’ Holmes Memorial Award (Outstanding Team Goaltender(s)) that season. Labbe also skated in 15 combined NHL games with the NY Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Labbe joins Bobby Nystrom, Dan Smith and Danny Gare as other luminaries expected to attend. Syracuse has contacted NHLers to gauge their interest - Zenon Konopka, for instance - but owner Howard Dolgon said that with the Olympic break many of the players are going on vacation.